Life Skills Education

As you are aware, the CBSE Board had introduced the concept of Life Skill Education in class VI from the academic year 2003-04 and in class VII in 2004-05. The CBSE Board had also prepared guidelines to schools with regard to the content and pedagogy of the subject. 

Life Skill Education is based on the need for providing a holistic approach of the educational content as it is based on the belief that every child is unique and possesses an inner potential that seeks to unfold in the process of growth. The choice of subjects in the process of learning, vocations pursued, interests developed and the goals set for life are and but an expression of this urge of the inner potential to manifest in diverse forms. The educational system has to facilitate to unravel this potential and help the younger generation as balanced individuals with competence to face the challenges of life. 

The CBSE Board feels that it is important to provide adequate focus on leaming of life skills by devoting at least two periods per week. The following suggestions may help you in effective implementation of the Life skills curriculum in your school environment: 

1.   Life skills could be taught as an independent discipline in the content areas identified by the CBSE Board. 
2.   It could be integrated as well in the teaching of other disciplines of learning to provide. 
3.   Students could be assigned simple studies and projects based on Life skills. 
4.   Special lectures could be organized to sensitize the students on Life skills. 
5.   Cooperation and participation of parents could be sought in developing right attitudes to life. 

Evaluation Life skills 

1.   Life skills are not to be evaluated through a terminal written examination. 
2.   They should be assessed as a part of the continuous and comprehensive evaluation. 
3.   Students should be graded based on their skills and attitudes, and only positive interests of the learners are to be reflected